There was a mixture of A and B-rigs on the water for the first couple of races but it was the A rigs which proved superior and all skippers changed up. The wind did back to the South West as the morning proceeded. It is never easy to set good courses for Westerly conditions on the dam and the wind turned our Long Distance course into what is predominately a reaching affair. I was however surprised how different skills came into play on the longer course. Some skippers sailed the shortest route buoy-to-buoy while others sailed well out hunting wind gusts and shifts. Similarly when a gust hit you need to make the decision of whether to easy your sheets and run with it or to head up and bank some windward ground. 
 
Eight races on the long course always makes for a fitness challenge but Buzzy Behrens and Phil Turnbull made it an adventure marathon. After getting hooked together right at the top mark their boats drifted well further up the dam. The had to go cross country, retrieve the boats without the prodder pole then complete a long walk home carrying their boats. Top effort boys!
 
Peter Sylvester claimed third place overall by virtue of count-back. Peter did well on the run up the dam by choosing to sail a straight point-to point course and was often leading at the first mark rounding. Second place went to Ray Joyce with a good consistent scorecard. Ray’s efforts are particularly notable as he sailed the first three races well under-powered with his B rig. Today’s winner was Gary McCarthy who after winning the opening race sailed most of the day with a huge handicap. Gary often sailed a wide course on the return back up the dam. It was Sydney-Hobart race style. He covered more distance than anyone but came out ahead of all. Congratulations Gary, Ray and Peter.
 
Coming up:
Saturday: David Murfett Memorial IOM Woodies event at Risdon Brook Dam 10:30 button press. Dam gates open at 10 with Park Run on prior.
Sunday: IOM Scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press.
Next Wednesday: DF95 handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press.
 
Shorty

​A small, but keen contingent along today for the DF95 and DF65 Scratch sailing. A different format today with 2.5hrs DF95 sailing (10-1230) and then 2.5hrs of DF65 sailing (1300-1530), which seemed to work really well.

It was noted that the smaller fleet was in some way due to our DSS friends having a Winter Series sail in the big boats, so we plan to keep this in mind and will try to avoid clashes where we can to maximise potential numbers on a sail day.

Ricky Price kindly volunteered to PRO the DF95 session – thanks Ricky and he had some tricky conditions for setting the most ideal course. We tried three in the 8 races, and all courses gave us ample opportunity with passing lanes as well as spotting good wind shifts about the place, so gave us lots of tactical options which really enhanced the day. Point really proven to me when I was sailing alongside Stu in a god close race. We were both luffed and I tacked off into there the wind was “in the now”, while Stu kept course and sailed through some absolute horrible nothings into a beautiful lift which separated us by at least 50m at the next mark. Tactical brilliance on show (just don’t let him know I said that).
 
We got 8 races in before it was time for the half time break and change to DF65 sailing.
 
By that time, it was no surprise to see Stu at the top of the leaderboard on just 7 points (bit harsh having to drop both his thirds…)
Lisa took a well deserved second, just 3 behind on 10 points.
I was a further 6 behind in third, on 16 points.

Silver fleet was dominated by John Hall, all counted races were wins, with a score of 6 (promotion coming soon John….)
Second place was Phil on 11 with Rod taking third on 14  points.
 
Over to DF65 and Ray took the role for PRO for their 11 races (nice work for a 19 race sail day).
 
We had visitors Andrew Roberts. Stuart Gordon and Peter Shields from the DSS today, who enjoyed the windy conditions, although a little short on enough rigs to take full advantage. It was great hearing some comments on their enjoyment with the ability to be able to pick wind shifts etc at the dam. Hopefully soon you’ll all want to sign up as members and enjoy many more sailing days with us.

To the racing, and with the wind varying from close to 20 knots and abating to 6 or so by the time I had to leave, there was a real mix of rigs used. Throughout the 6 that I was there for, we had used every rig in our grasp. A+, A, B and C. Stu and I suited up in C’s for the first three races, the DSS crew on A’s and the rest on B’s. From race 4, I took on a B and Stu went to an A+ due to some issues with his A.

Some really good racing – Andrew blasting out of the blocks in race 1, taking a win in his first race with us. Lisa had a great day with mostly podium finishes all session, finishing in first spot on 21 points.

Stu took second place, although not sailing the last two – taking second on countback on 26 points.

Andrew was defeated on countback, taking third place  by just 1 and with bragging rights with Stuart Gordon just 1 behind on 27.
 
Although light on numbers, it was a really enjoyable days sailing. Looking forward to the next one.
 
Coming up
 
Wednesday is IOM long distance handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press.
Next Saturday is “David Murfett Memorial” IOM Woodies Round 2 at the Dam. Access to the dam from 10am and button press as soon as everyone is reasonably ready.
Next Sunday is IOM Winter Scratch at the dam, button press at 10am.
 
Kyle

A cold gusty westerly was forecast and that was pretty much what we got for today’s IOM handicap at Risdon Brook Dam. The wind was unsettled throughout the whole day with dead calm patches suddenly changing to more than 15 knots. A-rigs were the go today - a handful in the heavy gusts but needed in the calm patches. It was a swinging wind too. I remarked to Ricky that it had come from all directions of the compass. Ricky qualified his agreement by saying that we haven’t had any from the due South but as if to mock us both less than a couple of minutes later it came fresh and strong down the bank.
 
Phil Jackman took on the PRO duties for the day and of course did an excellent job getting us through 11 races on a difficult day. Thanks as always Trout.
 
The ‘Short Boys’ pulled off a quinella in the second race of the day by finishing first and second and in a neat feat of book-ending managed another two races later only this time they took out the last two placings!
 
An honourable mention goes to Peter Webberley who turned up late after already putting in a day at work but managed to star with back-to-back wins in races #9 and #10.
 
The results sheet ended up looking like a tribute to Ian Vickers with the V12s and V11s filling the first 4 spots. John Penman and Alan Short took out 4th and 3rd respectively both having had two race wins during the course of the day. It was a day when fortunes could change rapidly and it was just as easy to go from riches to rags as it was to go from rags to riches. Not surprisingly on such a day the skippers who could manage some kind of consistency did the best. Ricky Price filled second place and Ian Hey won the day very convincingly a clear 11 points ahead with consistency the successful ingredient for both skippers. Congratulations to all!
 
Coming Up:
 
Sunday: DF scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. DF95 in the morning with button press 10:00 and DF65 in the afternoon with button press 1:00
Next Wednesday: Its long distance handicap racing for IOMs at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press.
 
Shorty

Report in from Ray today (Stu and I were away at a Race Officers Course all weekend). On that one, we found a few interesting things out that many of us had misinterpreted. I am waiting on the presetation slides to be emailed to me and I’ll share some of them to raise our collective understanding. Certainly one that I had completely wrong…..
 
A beaut day racing with everyone having a good time. It was very hard to contain Gary and Ricky at the head of the field. Great spirit all around.
 
Breeze from the NW and sailed the long course with a rotating PRO until Andrew’s boat broke a sidestay and he ran the rest of the day for us.
 
Ricky won the day today, on 13.7 points
Gary second on 16.1
Ray third on 17.5
 
Silver fleet had Simon winning today with 20pts
Phil taking second on 20.6
Andrew rounded out the three with 23.2.
 
Coming up
IOM Mid Week Handicap on Wednesday, button press at 1030
Sunday will have DF95 Scratch (1000-1230), followed by DF65 scratch (1300-1530)

A good strong, gusty Northerly was blowing down Risdon Brook Dam when we arrived for today’s IOM handicap racing. All up conditions were a bit similar to Sunday’s Winter Challenge but perhaps a knot or two lighter - just peaking over 10 or 12 knots, which made rig choice a real decision . By race time the wind had moderated a little and A rigs were chosen universally. Things strengthened a little in the last couple of races before lunch causing a few knockdowns and nose dives. A few skippers chose to suit down over lunch but the wind did settle again and the big rigs proved best for the afternoon’s conditions.
 
Lisa Blackwood brought her Nighthawk along but unfortunately brought the wrong ring box for it. She generously stayed on and took up PRO duties for the day alongside Phil Jackman. Thanks to you both for some great work today. Lisa’s course for the morning session involved a windward gate at buoys 7 and 8 which put an interesting extra decision element into the mix.
 
Similar to last Wednesday and Sunday there was no reliable best way to work the course. Sometimes going East was good as there were some good lifts off the shore but other times, particularly in the afternoon when the wind was trying to swing West, heading West was good. 
 
When Trout gave me the scoresheet at the end of the day I asked him who he thought had won and he said that he could not pick it which was pretty much what I thought too. It seemed that most skippers had a mixture of good placings along with some more forgettable races and there did not seem to be any skipper who dominated the podium. Adding up the scores at home I was surprised to find that the top three were separated by a single point. Ricky Price took out the day on count-back from Ray Joyce and I was a further point behind. Ricky and Ray were probably the two most consistent skippers in today’s fleet. Congratulations to them!
 
Coming up:
 
Sunday: IOM Scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: More IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press
 
Shorty

​Thirteen competitors along today, which was in itself a good result given the recent weather and the inclement conditions forecast for today. That said, it was a little less cold than the days prior (just 4C at the kids Soccer yesterday…)
 
After initial measurements/checks undertaken by Rod and Bodge, we got under way slightly early on agreement from all competitors.
 
Pro Rod Marshall set up a pretty standard course for us as the breeze was being kind – a stiff NW at about 14 knots with gusts up around 20 or so – right to the upper edge of B Rig.
 
Some great starts with very few being called over for the day and very little contact between boats throughout was a great effort given the blustier conditions. That said, there were the inevitable boat contacts and buoy contacts (I only hit the same one 3 times for the day…..) and it was fantastic to see the penalties done as they should – quick and without fuss.
 
We took lunch after 9 races, and at that stage, Lisa had an early lead on 16 points. Just two in front of Gary (18), who had a further 5 break from Ricky (23) in third. Silver fleet saw John in the lead on 41, with Peter just two behind (43) and Alan (56) in third.
 
During lunch, the wind came right up and there was a lot of indecision over what rig to choose, B or C. B rig won out in the end, with the two taking on C rig being a bit light on power when the wind dropped off.
 
A few direction changes with the wind after lunch – giving us some from every direction which made it hard on Rod for setting the course. Luckily that confused period was short lived and we soon went back to our initial course for the day.
 
With such a good long initial beat, it was interesting to see where skippers elected to sail, with lanes in close to shore, in the middle of the course, and way out on the other side also proving effective at times.
 
We finished off with 18 races completed for the day – a very good effort by all, given we were afforded breaks after every three races as well. The last two races had most of the fleet swap out to A rigs, but I think most possibly would not have done it in hindsight, with some big gusts blowing through, creating some chaos about the field with many yachts either nosediving or being completely flattened.
 
Fantastic to see though the results that we had 8 skippers sharing race wins for the day, including one from Silver Fleet (Peter took out a 1st and 2nd before rigging issues finished his day).
 
The deserved winner of the Regatta today was Lisa, running out clearly in front on just 35 points. Supremely consistent with a 5 as one of her drops for the day.
 
The next three spots were very close.
 
Gary took out second place on 54 points.
 
Just two further afield was yours truly on 56 points, just 1 ahead of Ricky in 4th on 57.

In Silver Fleet, John kept his buffer from Alan (the brothers rivalry getting pretty competitive) with the win on 101pts. Alan second on 110pts,and Ted taking third on 118pts.
 
A great days sailing with a good amount of breeze for us to really test our B rigs out.
 
Big thanks today, to Rod for opting out of sailing and doing the Pro job instead. Calm, measured and efficient the entire day. Thanks also to Phil Turnbull and Simon for helping with observing through the day.
 
We also had Grant Wise along again today, taking some photos of the sailing. They can be found on our RC Sailing Tas Facebook page, which is viewable whether you have a FB account or not.

Today’s IOM Handicap Shield event started in very cool conditions but a delightful Northerly of nearly 10 knots made the thirteen skippers keen for a good days racing. The wind did moderate gradually throughout the day but even at the close of the day we had a steady 3 or 4 knots (and bright sunshine) and so all up great conditions for sailing. 
 
The wind did carry some gusts, lifts and knocks. On the long beat up the dam it was always difficult to tell whether to head west where there seemed to be more pressure or come to the east as there were some generous lifts to hunt. The leg from the gate to the finish line was generally an easier decision as rounding buoy 1 and coming to the shore seemed to pay most times but you did have to take your chances if you sailed too close to the shore weed line. 
 
It was so good to see Phil Jackman back with a transmitter in hand and boat on the water. Trout sailed to his usual great form finishing a creditable 4th overall with a swag of 3rd places and a nice race win too. 
 
Third place was taken by Peter Sylvester who had his boat beautifully set up and had more boat speed than most others. Peter Turner finished second with 6 podium finishes from the 12 races today. The clear winner was Gary McCarthy who was clearly the best on the course still competing in the final races after having raised his handicap penalty o 85 seconds. Congratulations to the Peter’s and Gary.
 
Today was a great work out for Sunday’s IOM ranking event - the Mid-Winter Regatta. If you have not entered yet and intend to, then you need to enter on line AND pay before close of business on Friday! Measuring and inspection will be from 9:00, briefing at 10:15 and a 10:30 button press
 
Coming Up;
Sunday: IOM Mid-Winter Regatta for IOMs at Risdon Brook Dam 10:30 button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:30 button press
 
Shorty

With a bit of wind the last few days, it was hoped that some may remain for today’s IOM Scratch.
 
Unfortunately, it didn’t and for most of the day, the dam was glassed over. That said, just above the water was a small amount of pressure, just enough to create a wake with the yachts, but no more than that.
 
I seriously doubt any decks on the boats got wet today.
 
That said, we did get away on time with 12 competing for the day. A lot of dead spots, and quite a few occasions of the backmarker bringing the wind up to everyone else.
 
We started with a rotating Pro system hat has worked well in the past, but after a few races, the frustration of the wind got to me and I Pro’d the rest of the day, with some help from Stu in the latter part of it (thanks Stu).
 
Those that Pro’d before I took it on got average points for their efforts, which is why some sailors had partial points applied.
 
Although frustrating with the lack of wind, and large shifts the cream still rose to the top – showing the real skill of really light weather sailing.

After 5 races, it was put to the skippers whether we continue or not, but the consensus was to keep going , so we did.
 
We got 8 races in in the end, with generally only single lap races with the lack of wind.
 
Lisa had a great day in the light conditions, 5 wins from the 8 races, winning the round with 7 points.
 
Ricky also had a great day today, one race win by a full leg – two race wins and 13 points for the day.
 
Ray took out 3rd as the only other who won a race today, with 17.9pts.
 
In Silver Fleet, Simon had a great day – getting a 4th in the main fleet as well, winning Silver Fleet on 12pts
Andrew continued his great run in the Proteus, taking second on 12.9pts
Phil Turnbull took third, sailing his V5, on 13 points.
 
Club boats available for hire
Members of the committee have taken the club boats home to make sure they are all in race-ready condition. Some are right to go where others may take a little while to be ready.
That said, we have club Marbleheads, DF95, IOM and A Class boats. If anyone is interested in giving one of them a go, please get in touch with anyone on the committee and we’ll get you on to the right person with the boat to have a go.
We have decided not to have the boats generally available as over time, they end up needing work done to keep them in race-ready condition and instead we intend to hire them out for a period of time, where the hirer agrees to keep the boat in race-ready condition up to the point of handing the boat back to the club.
 
Coming up
Wednesday is IOM Mid Week Handicap at the Dam, button press at 1030
Next Sunday is Mid Winter Regatta at the Dam. Button press is at 1030 (briefing at 1015). If you have not yet entered, please get your entries in before they close at 5pm on Friday. Please bring along certificates, and be ready for checks/weighing on the day.
 
Callout for Pro for Next Sunday – If you aren’t sailing but would like to help out, we have not yet had the PRO confirmed, so we would love to hear from you. Please contact either Ray or myself if you’d like to help.
 
Kyle
 

A gloomy mist hung over the reflective waters of Risdon Brook Dam and while it looked special and felt ‘atmospheric’ conditions were better suited to filming a murder mystery thriller than they were to sailing DF95’s. Yet PRO Andrew Wardrop did get us underway and we managed to complete two races and another practice one before calling it off at lunch time.
 
Even though drifting around isn’t that thrilling it was still good to get out there and share some good banter with the other skippers. We welcomed guest Dennis Bowden today. Dennis is a regular with the Puddleduck group and was hoping to test his skills at a bigger and windier venue. It isn’t always like this Dennis! New member Andrew Roberts had his first race with the club today too. Andrew had his black hulled #153 DF95 sailing very fast and showed us today that he means business. Andrew won the ‘practice race’ and finished well in the two actual races we had. (See results below)
 
With only 2 races completed the results cannot be counted as an official event. There must be a minimum of 4 races before results count. So todays results are not official and do not count towards the seasons total but are presented for your interest only.
 
A bit of a pity as 16 starters was a good fleet especially at this time of the year. (In fact there were17 skippers including Jammy who had electrical issues and could not compete.) Still there is always good racing ahead.
 
Thanks to Ray Joyce for the photos!
 
Coming Up:
Sunday: IOM scratch racing at Risdon Brook Dam. 10:00 button press
Next Wednesday: IOM handicap racing at Risdon Brook Dam (Handicap Shield Day). 10:30 button press
 
Shorty